Systems and methods for cards and devices operable to communicate via light pulsing

ABSTRACT

A card is provided with a light sensor operable to receive information via light emitted from a display screen or another source of light. Accordingly, a mobile telephonic device or portable computer (e.g., tablet computer) may communicate information to a card via light pulses. Information communicated via light may include, for example, points balances, credit balances, debit balances, transaction history, software updates, coupons, promotions, advertisements or any other type of information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/345,649, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARDS ANDDEVICES OPERABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAYS,” filed May18, 2010 (Attorney Docket No. D/035 PROV) and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/345,659, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARDS ANDDEVICES OPERABLE TO COMMUNICATE VIA LIGHT PULSING,” filed May 18, 2010(Attorney Docket No. D/036 PROV), all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associatedpayment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such adynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magneticencoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change theinformation located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripereader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. Amagnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directlycommunicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulatormay communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripereader.

All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a cardmay be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, LED, orelectrochromic display). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to oneor more capacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided asa touch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may beutilized. Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determiningmultiple points of touch. Accordingly, a barcode may be displayed acrossall, or substantially all, of a surface of a card. In doing so, computervision equipment such as barcode readers may be less susceptible toerrors in reading a displayed barcode.

A card may include a number of output devices to output dynamicinformation. For example, a card may include one or more RFIDs or ICchips to communicate to one or more RFID readers or IC chip readers,respectively. A card may include devices to receive information. Forexample, an RFID and IC chip may both receive information andcommunicate information to an RFID and IC chip reader, respectively. Adevice for receiving wireless information signals may be provided. Alight sensing device or sound sensing device may be utilized to receiveinformation wirelessly. A card may include a central processor thatcommunicates data through one or more output devices simultaneously(e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and a dynamic magnetic stripe communicationsdevice). The central processor may receive information from one or moreinput devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, dynamic magneticstripe devices, light sensing device, and a sound sensing device). Aprocessor may be coupled to surface contacts such that the processor mayperform the processing capabilities of, for example, an EMV chip. Theprocessor may be laminated over and not exposed such that the processoris not exposed on the surface of the card.

A card may be provided with a button in which the activation of thebutton causes a code to be communicated through a dynamic magneticstripe communications device (e.g., the subsequent time a read-headdetector on the card detects a read-head). The code may be indicativeof, for example, a feature (e.g., a payment feature). The code may bereceived by the card via manual input (e.g., onto buttons of the card)or via a wireless transmission (e.g., via light, electromagneticcommunications, sound, or other wireless signals). A code may becommunicated from a webpage (e.g., via light and/or sound) to a card. Acard may include a display such that a received code may be visuallydisplayed to a user. In doing so, the user may be provided with a way toselect, and use, the code via both an in-store setting (e.g., via amagnetic stripe reader) or an online setting (e.g., by reading the codefrom a display and entering the code into a text box on a checkout pageof an online purchase transaction). A remote server, such as a paymentauthorization server, may receive the code and may process a paymentdifferently based on the code received. For example, a code may be asecurity code to authorize a purchase transaction. A code may provide apayment feature such that a purchase may be made with points, debit,credit, installment payments, or deferred payments via a single paymentaccount number (e.g., a credit card number) to identify a user and apayment feature code to select the type of payment a user desires toutilize.

A dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may include a magneticemulator that comprises an inductor (e.g., a coil). Current may beprovided through this coil to create an electromagnetic field operableto communicate with the read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. The drivecircuit may fluctuate the amount of current travelling through the coilsuch that a track of magnetic stripe data may be communicated to aread-head of a magnetic stripe reader. A switch (e.g., a transistor) maybe provided to enable or disable the flow of current according to, forexample, a frequency/double-frequency (F2F) encoding algorithm. In doingso, bits of data may be communicated.

A card may include a touch transmitter that may activate a capacitivetouch sensor on another device such that the other device believes auser physically touched the capacitive touch sensor with his/her finger.Accordingly, a touch transmitter may activate a capacitive touch screen,such as a capacitive touch screen found on a mobile telephonic device,tablet computing device, or a capacitive touch screen of a laptop orstationary computer. The touch transmitter may, accordingly, communicateinformation to a device (e.g., to a mobile telephonic device) byactivating and deactivating a touch sensor (or sensors) on a capacitivetouch screen in a particular manner. For example, a touch transmittermay communicate information serially by activating and deactivating acapacitive touch screen sensor with respect to time. A touch transmittermay, accordingly, communicate information via a capacitive touch sensorusing F2F encoding, where a state transition occurs either at anactivation or, for example, at an activation as well as a deactivation.In this manner, a card may communicate information directly to a mobiletelephonic device with a capacitive touch screen, or any device with acapacitive touch screen, without requiring any physical connections orthe use of proprietary communication protocols.

A card, or other device, may have one or more light sensors. Such alight sensor may include, for example, one or more photoresistors,photodiodes, phototransistors, light emitting diodes sensitive to light,or any other device operable to discern light or convert light intoelectrical energy. Such light sensors may receive information via light.For example, one or more light sensors may receive light pulses and maydiscern such light pulses into information based on one or moreinformation encoding schemes stored on memory of a device that includesthe one or more light sensors.

Multiple light sensors may be provided. One or more light sensors mayreceive information from one region on a display that generates, forexample, different pulses or patterns of light over time. Each lightsensor may, for example, receive information from a different lightregion on a display. A light region may communicate light, for example,by transmitting different colors of light (e.g., red, blue, green) orcommunicating information by changing back and forth between two colorsof light (e.g., black and white). Information may be communicated, forexample, based on the transition between colors of light based on time.For example, a transition from one color to a different color may bedetermined as a transition by a device (e.g., a battery-powered paymentcard). A transition may be a change from a particular color (e.g.,black) to another color (e.g., white). Alternatively, a transition maybe a change from any color (e.g., black or white) to a different color(e.g., white or black, respectively). The duration of time between suchtransitions may be utilized to determine a particular bit ofinformation. For example, a “short” period of time between transitionsmay be one bit (e.g., “0” or “1”) while a “long” period of time betweentransitions may be a different bit (e.g., “1” or “0”). In doing so, forexample, the same information may be communicated across displays havingdifferent frame rates using the same encoding scheme. A series oftraining pulses may be sent before and/or after a data message such thata processor receiving information from one or more light pulses maydiscern the difference between a “short” and a “long” period. Forexample, a number of bits (e.g., three, four, or five “0s” or “1s”) mayprecede any data message and may be known as information the processorreceives before a message. Such known bits may be, for example, a“short” period such that a processor may determine the approximateduration of a “short” period and utilize this to determine a “short” or“long” period between future transitions. Alternatively, for example, aprocessor may discern transition and timing information across a datamessage and determine, based on the received data, the transitionperiods that are “long” relative to the other periods. In doing so, theprocessor may discern data from the received transition information. A“long” transition period may be, for example, approximately twice aslong as a “short” transition period. A “long” transition period may be,for example, at least 25 percent longer as a “short” transition period.More than two lengths of transition intervals may be utilized. Forexample, “short,” “medium,” “long,” and “very long” transition intervalsmay be utilized to convey four states of information to a device.

Multiple regions of a display may be utilized to communicate informationto a device (e.g., via a mobile telephonic device, portable computingdevice, or other device) via light. Each region may communicatedifferent tracks of information. Tracks of information may also becommunicated based on the state of each light region at a particulartime. For example, if one region is a particular color during aparticular period of time and another region is a different color duringthat same period of time then the particular combination of these statesduring a particular period may correlate to data information.

Multiple light sensors may allow for data to be communicated in parallelvia multiple independent communication tracks (e.g., via multipleregions of a display providing light information to a device). Forexample, four light sensors may independently receive four data messagesin parallel. Alternatively, for example, multiple light sensors may beutilized to receive a single message. Accordingly, multiple lightsensors may be utilized to receive a single message faster than a singlelight sensor. For example, information may be communicated in more thantwo states (e.g., more than binary). For example, a first light sensorreceiving white while a second light sensor receives black may be a “0.”The first light sensor receiving white while the second light sensorreceives white may be a “1.” The first light sensor receiving blackwhile the second light sensor receives white may be “2.” The first lightsensor receiving black while the second light sensor receives black maybe “3.”

Multiple light sensors may be utilized in a sensor array to determinethe same data from a single light region. Multiple samples may be takenfrom each sensor. Multiple samples from each sensor may be averagedtogether. The averaged samples from each sensor of a sample array may beutilized to determine information. For example, a majority or asupermajority of the sensors in an array may have to provide an averagesample over a period of time indicative of a transition as occurring fora transition for a processor to determine that a transition hasoccurred. A sampling rate for a light sensor may be, for example,greater than 10 samples per second. For example, a processor may take asample from a light sensor more than 20 times per second (e.g., morethan 50 times per second).

A single light sensor may receive information serially in a variety ofways. For example, light may be communicated by providing differentpulse widths of a particular color (e.g., white versus black). Astandard black width may be utilized for synchronization. A white pulsethe same width as the black may be a “0.” A white pulse double the widthof a black pulse may be “1.” A white pulse triple the width of a blackpulse may be “2.” Accordingly, for example, such a scheme may allowinformation to be communicated by a display regardless of the framerate. By comparing one duration of one type of light to another durationof another type of light, information may be communicated regardless ofthe frame rate.

A single light sensor may receive information serially, for example, viafrequency double-frequency encoding. Particularly, for example, aprocessor may receive electrical signals from a light sensor indicativeof the light sensed by a light sensor. Information may be pulsed to theprocessor, via the light sensor, by switching between black and white.The timing of transitions from white to black and black to white may beutilized to communicate information. A number of synchronization pulsesmay be communicated before a message such that the processor may lockonto the periodicity of a particular bit (e.g., “0” or “1”). A shortduration between transitions may be a first bit of data (e.g., “0”)while a long duration between transitions may be a second bit of data(e.g., “1”). Such a scheme may be independent of a frame rate of adisplay. Accordingly, for example, the information may be communicatedvia a display of a television set, a computer monitor, and a mobile cellphone—regardless if the frame rates are different for each device.

The card may receive information from a device having a capacitive touchscreen such that bi-directional communications may occur with the deviceutilizing the capacitive touch screen. For example, a card may receiveinformation via light pulses emitted from the capacitive touch display.More particularly, for example, a software program may be installed in adevice (e.g., a mobile telephone or a tablet computing device) operableto emit messages, via light, to a card and receive messages, via touch,from the card. The bi-directional communication may happen in parallel(e.g., light pulses may be sent to the card simultaneously with touchpulses being received from the card). The bi-directional communicationsmay happen sequentially (e.g., the card may communicate via touch andthen, after the card communicates, the card may receive communicationfrom the device via light and, after the device communicates, the cardmay communicate via touch).

Bi-directional communication may, for example, allow for handshaking tooccur between the two devices such that each device may be identifiedand a secure communication channel may be setup via light pulses andtouch pulses. Such a secure communication channel may have one or more(e.g., three) tracks of information. Additionally, for example,information indicative of a receipt of a message may be communicated vialight and/or touch. Synchronization signals may be communicated beforeand after a message. For example, a string of particular bits (e.g., “0”s) may appear before every message in order for a card, or other device,to lock onto the timing of the information being transmitted in thesignal. For example, a zero may be transmitted via a “short” touch pulseand a one may be transmitted via a “long” touch pulse. In synchronizingthe signal, the receiving device may train itself onto the duration of a“short” touch pulse versus a “long” touch pulse. A “short” touch pulsemay be the time between activations of a capacitive sensor or the timebetween the activation and deactivation of a touch sensor.

A card, or other device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device) may includeone or more light sensors, touch transmitters, capacitive touch sensors,and light emitters. Accordingly, two instances of such a card maycommunicate bi-directionally via light as well as capacitive touch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a graphical user interface constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of signals constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of signals constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a scheme constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a system constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include, for example, a dynamic numberthat may be entirely, or partially, displayed via display 112. A dynamicnumber may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanentportion 111. Permanent portion 111 may be printed as well as embossed orlaser etched on card 100. Multiple displays may be provided on a card.For example, display 113 may be utilized to display a dynamic code suchas a dynamic security code. Display 125 may also be provided to displaylogos, barcodes, as well as multiple lines of information. A display maybe a bi-stable display or non bi-stable display. Permanent information120 may also be included and may include information such as informationspecific to a user (e.g., a user's name or username) or informationspecific to a card (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expirationdate). Card 100 may include one or more buttons such as buttons 130-134.Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, or acombination or mechanical and capacitive buttons. A button (e.g., button130) may be used, for example, to communicate information through adynamic magnetic stripe communications device indicative of a user'sdesire to communicate a single track of magnetic stripe information.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that pressing a button (e.g.,button 130) may cause information to be communicated through a dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device when an associated read-headdetector detects the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripereader. Another button (e.g., button 131) may be utilized to communicate(e.g., after button 131 is pressed and after a read-head detects aread-head of a reader) information indicative of a user selection (e.g.,to communicate two tracks of magnetic stripe data). Multiple buttons maybe provided on a card and each button may be associated with differentuser selections.

Architecture 150 may be utilized with any card. Architecture 150 mayinclude processor 120. Processor 120 may have on-board memory forstoring information (e.g., drive code). Any number of components maycommunicate to processor 120 and/or may receive communications fromprocessor 120. For example, one or more displays (e.g., display 140) maybe coupled to processor 120. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat components may be placed between particular components andprocessor 120. For example, a display driver circuit may be coupledbetween display 140 and processor 120. Memory 143 may be coupled toprocessor 120. Memory 143 may include data that is unique to aparticular card. For example, memory 143 may store discretionary datacodes associated with buttons of a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1). Suchcodes may be recognized by remote servers to effect particular actions.For example, a code may be stored on memory 143 that causes a promotionto be implemented by a remote server (e.g., a remote server coupled to acard issuer's website). Memory 143 may store types of promotions that auser may have downloaded to the device and selected on the device foruse. Each promotion may be associated with a button. Or, for example, auser may scroll through a list of promotions on a display on the frontof the card (e.g., using buttons to scroll through the list). A user mayselect the type of payment on card 100 via manual input interfacescorresponding to displayed options on display 125. Selected informationmay be communicated to a magnetic stripe reader via a dynamic magneticstripe communications device. Selected information may also becommunicated to a device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device) having acapacitive sensor or other type of touch sensitive sensor.

Card 100 may include, for example, any number of touch triggers 126 orlight sensors 127. Touch triggers 126 may be utilized, for example, toactivate and deactivate a touch sensor on a capacitive, or other, touchscreen. In doing so, a device having a touch screen may believe that auser is physically providing physical instructions to the device when acard is actually providing physical instructions to the device. Lightsensors 127 may be utilized such that a display screen, or other lightemitting device, may communicate information to light sensors 127 vialight.

Any number of reader communication devices may be included inarchitecture 150. For example, IC chip 152 may be included tocommunicate information to an IC chip reader. IC chip 152 may be, forexample, an EMV chip. As per another example, RFID 151 may be includedto communicate information to an RFID reader. A magnetic stripecommunications device may also be included to communicate information toa magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic stripe communications devicemay provide electromagnetic signals to a magnetic stripe reader.Different electromagnetic signals may be communicated to a magneticstripe reader to provide different tracks of data. For example,electromagnetic field generators 170, 180, and 185 may be included tocommunicate separate tracks of information to a magnetic stripe reader.Such electromagnetic field generators may include a coil wrapped aroundone or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and a non-magneticmaterial). Each electromagnetic field generator may communicateinformation serially to a receiver of a magnetic stripe reader forparticular magnetic stripe track. Read-head detectors 171 and 172 may beutilized to sense the presence of a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., aread-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader). This sensed informationmay be communicated to processor 120 to cause processor 120 tocommunicate information serially from electromagnetic generators 170,180, and 185 to magnetic stripe track receivers in a read-head housingof a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, a magnetic stripecommunications device may change the information communicated to amagnetic stripe reader at any time. Processor 120 may, for example,communicate user-specific and card-specific information through RFID151, IC chip 152, and electromagnetic generators 170, 180, and 185 tocard readers coupled to remote information processing servers (e.g.,purchase authorization servers). Driving circuitry 141 may be utilizedby processor 120, for example, to control electromagnetic generators170, 180, and 185.

Architecture 150 may also include, for example, touch transmitter 142 aswell as light sensor 143. Architecture 150 may communicate informationfrom touch transmitter 142 as well as receive information from lightsensor 143. Processor 120 may communicate information through touchtransmitter 142 and determine information received by light sensor 143.Processor 120 may store information on memory to later be, for example,communicated via touch transmitter 142.

FIG. 2 shows graphical user interface (GUI) 200 that may be displayed,for example, from a stationary or portable computer, a mobile telephonicphone, a tablet computer, a navigational system, a watch, a card, or anydevice having a display screen. Graphical user interface 200 may behosted from a server and may communicate with a number of additionalservers. For example, graphical user interface 200 may be provided on aweb browser, or other application run from a device, to complete apurchase transaction. GUI 200 may be provided upon the completion of apurchase to communicate update information back to a card. Suchinformation may include, for example, an update points balance, creditbalance, debit balance, pre-paid balance, or any other updateinformation. Information may be communicated via light, for example, inlight communication area 280. Status indication area 270 may be utilizedto communicate information to a user while a card is held against adisplay. For example, status indication area 270 may change colors, orprovide a different form of visual indicia, depending on if a update isstarting, in the process of communication, or has completedcommunicating.

One or more light sensors or touch transmitters may be located on a cardor other device. For example, a touch transmitter may be located atapproximately opposite ends of a card as another touch transmitter. Alight sensor may, for example, be located at approximately the oppositeend of a card as a touch transmitter. A user may activate a button(e.g., a download button) to start communicating data via the touchtransmitter. A button may be a physical button, a capacitive touchbutton, or any other type of button.

FIG. 3 shows card 300, which may be provided in a verticalconfiguration. Card 300 may include, for example, issuer logo 310,network logo 370, display 350, manual input interfaces 341-343, touchtransmitter 320, light sensor 330, permanent indicia 351, 362, and 363.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any permanent indiciamay be provided via display 350. For example, one or more payment cardnumbers, user name, expiration date, and security codes may be providedvia display 350.

FIG. 4 shows system 400 that may include mobile telephonic device 490and device 410 (e.g., a payment card). Device 410 may include, forexample, display 420 that may display status indicative of acommunication. A touch transmitter and/or light sensor may be providedon a surface of device 410 opposite display 420. In this manner, forexample, device 410 may communicate with mobile telephonic device 490 asdevice 410 is held against device 490, but device 410 may communicateinformation indicative of the status of a communication via display 420.

Device 490 may include housing 491, button 495, and capacitive touchdisplay screen 499. Device 410 may utilize a touch transmitter to, forexample, communicate information to mobile telephonic device 490.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a mobile bankingapplication may be utilized on mobile telephonic device 490. Device 410may be utilized to properly identify a person securely in order toreduce fraud. Accordingly, device 410 may communicate identificationinformation and security codes, such as time based or used based codes,to device 490 via display 499. Accordingly, such an identification maybe required, for example, by a banking application in order to gainaccess to banking information, execute a financial trade (e.g., a stockor option trade), transfer money, or pay a bill via an electronic check.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple touchtransmitters may communicate data simultaneously in parallel to a touchscreen. Similarly, for example, multiple light sensors may receive datasimultaneously in parallel from a display screen. The information maybe, for example, different or the same. By communicating the sameinformation through different touch transmitters, a device may receivetwo messages and confirm receipt of a communication if the two messagesare the same. Touch transmitters may be utilized, for example, bysoftware on a device to determine the positioning of a device on anassociated touch screen. Similarly, light sensors may be utilized, forexample, to receive information indicative of the positioning of adevice on an associated touch screen.

FIG. 5 shows system 500 that may include a device having a displayscreen displaying light communication areas 510 and 520. Areas 510 and520 may change color, for example, to communicate data. A card mayinclude corresponding light sensors, or arrays of light sensors, inorder to receive data from light areas 510 and 520. Data may bedetermined for example, based on the combination of colors provided inthe light regions. For example, a particular combination of colors maybe associated with a particular data (e.g., a particular bit) and adifferent combination of colors may be associated with a different data(e.g., a different bit). A combination of colors may be utilized as atransition. Such a transition combination may be utilized, for example,to indicate to a card, or other device, the separation of data. Forexample, two regions may be provided. Both regions being determined tobe black may be associated with a transition. One region being whitewhile the other is black may be determined to be associated with one bitof information. One region being black while the other is white may bedetermined to be associated with a different bit of information. Bothregions being white may be utilized to convey the beginning and/orending of a message. A two color scheme may be utilized. More than twocolors may be utilized. Furthermore, for example, a card, or otherdevice, may be able to receive information regardless of the colorsused. For example, information may be discerned based on the colorsbeing different. As such, both colors being the same may be utilized asone bit of information while both colors being different may be utilizedas a different bit of information. In doing so, for example, the samecommunication encoding method may be utilized regardless of the type ofdisplay utilized (e.g., a several color display or a black/white or agreen/yellow display). A clock may be utilized to determine timinginformation. Such a clock may be a clock internal to a processor. Such aclock may alternatively be a clock separate from the processor.

A processor may be configured, for example, to operate in the range ofapproximately 1 megahertz to 30 megahertz (e.g., approximately 2-5megahertz). A battery may be utilized to power the card or other device.A payment card (e.g., a debit, credit, pre-paid, and/or gift card) maybe provided to a customer (e.g., mailed to a customer) with a batterycharged between 3 and 4.5 volts (e.g., between approximately 3.2 and 4.2volts). An electronics package may be laminated into a card after abattery is charged. For example, an electronics package may be laminatedinto a card via a hot or cold lamination process. An electronics packagemay be laminated into a card via an injection molding process utilizingone or more liquid laminates that are hardened via a light, temperature,pressure, time-based, chemical, or other reaction.

System 530 may be included and may include a device having a displaythat displays light communication area 540. Light communication area 540may communicate information via light pulses. Such light pulses maycommunicate data serially. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat a single light area and a single, or an array of light sensors, forthat single area may be utilized on a device regardless of screen size.A user may place a card's light sensor, or array of light sensors,against area 540 and may receive data from area 540 as light is pulsedto the card. Information may be communicated, for example, via frequencydouble-frequency encoding. For example, transitions may be determined bya processor and the periods of time between these transitions may beutilized as data. For example, a “short” interval may be discerned asone type of bit of data (e.g., a “0”) while a “long” interval may bediscerned as a different type of bit of data (e.g., a “1”). A transitionmay be determined, for example, as the change of one color to anothercolor (e.g., black to white and white to black) or from one particularcolor to another particular color (e.g., black to white but not white toblack).

Any type of device with a display may be utilized to communicateinformation from a card, or other device, via light. For example, atelevision, mobile telephonic phone, personal computer (e.g.,stationary, portable laptop, or portable tablet computer),automated-teller-machine device, electronic register device, or anyother type of electronic device. Information may be communicated vialight regions provided in webpages, software applications, televisionstreams (e.g., during a commercial or a television show), or any otherdisplay screen or user interface.

FIG. 6 shows signal 610 and signal 620. Signals 610 and 620 may becommunicated, for example, from a single light area on a display to asingle light sensor on a card, or other device. Signal 610 maycommunicate information via the length of a pulse of a particular color(e.g., white) with a baseline width of a different color (e.g., black)(e.g., pulses 611 and 612). Signal 610 may, alternatively, communicateinformation with long durations and short durations of two colors. Forexample, a short duration of white followed by a short duration of blackmay be one bit while a long duration of white followed by a longduration of black may be another bit (e.g., pulses 613 and 614). Signal620 may, for example, communicate information via the time durationsbetween transitions from one state (e.g., white) to another color state(e.g., black). Short durations may be one bit (e.g., “0”) while longdurations may be another bit (e.g., “1”). In doing so, for example,frequency double-frequency encoding may be realized (e.g., via pulses621-624).

FIG. 7 shows data streams 710 and 720. Data stream 710 may includesynchronization pulses 711, information pulses 712, and synchronizationpulses 713. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatsynchronization pulses may be provided as a string of a particular bit(e.g., a string of “0” s). In doing so, for example, a card maydetermine the duration of transition changes associated with that bitsuch that information may be properly discerned by the card. In thismanner, information may be communicated, via light, regardless of theframe rate of the display screen communicating the information. Stream720 may include synchronization pulses 721, calibration pulses 722,message type pulses 723, and message pulses 724. Message type pulse mayidentify the type of data included in the subsequent message pulse. Indoing so, for example, the message pulse may be properly identified androuted for processing. Calibration pulses 722 may be utilized by a card,for example, to discern more information about the capabilities of adisplay, how colors are displayed, backlighting attributes, and/orambient light and optical noise. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that calibration pulses may also be synchronization pulsesand synchronization pulses may have different, particular attributes(e.g., brightness or depth of color) such that calibration may occurmore efficiently and effectively. Persons skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that black and white pulses may be utilized on both severalcolor displays and black and white displays.

Numerous applications may be realized utilizing, for example, lightpulses to communicate light to a card or between cards (or otherdevices). For example, a card may receive information via lightindicative of a payment card number (e.g., a credit, debit, pre-paid,and/or gift card number). In doing so, a payment card number may beremotely issued to a card via, for example, a mobile device or aportable computer. A payment card number may be remotely issued, forexample, via a web browser when, for example, a payment card number iscompromised or a new product is desired to be added to a card (e.g., anew credit, debit, or pre-paid product). Alerts may be communicated vialight and received by a card. An alert may instruct a card to provide aparticular visible alert (e.g., a light blinking or particular indiciato be provided on a display) upon receipt, at a particular time, or aparticular frequency. Such an alert, for example, may be indicative of anew promotion that is awaiting a user. Promotions, coupons, andadvertisements may also be downloaded to a card via light. Games may beplayed on a card and game information may be communicated via light. Forexample, a casino loyalty card may receive a particular code via lightand this code may correspond to a game loss or a game win of aparticular amount. The code may be utilized by a game on the card (e.g.,to roll dice on a display or spin a slot machine on a display). Featuresmay be added or switched on a card. For example, a user may add afeature enabling the user to pay for a purchase with points, ininstallments, via a deferred pay, debit pay, prepaid pay, or credit pay.Such features may be switched, for example, on the back-end such thatinformation may not be required to be communicated to the card. Forexample, a user may go online and switch the feature utilized upon theselection of a particular button on the card. In communicating theinformation via light, however, the card may utilize the information toprovide a more functional card. For example, a display located next to abutton may change the information displayed to be indicative of a newfeature such that a user does not have to remember the featuresassociated with particular buttons. Information on a card may beupdated. For example, a user profile (e.g., reward mile status) may beupdated via light pulses. Software on a card may be updated via lightpulses. A user may utilize a particular code to unlock a card byentering this code into buttons. The code may be changed via lightpulses. Similarly a card may become locked until a code is entered intothe card that the user is not aware of. This code may be communicated toa card via light pulses to unlock the card. Timing information may becommunicated to a card (e.g., the date and time of transmission) suchthat a card may update and resynchronize an internal clock. Value may beadded, and stored, on a card via light information. For example,pre-paid or gift amounts may be added to a card. A card may receive ahotel key via light, for example, when a user pays for a hotel room. Anonline check-in feature may be provided via a hotel reservation centersuch that the hotel may download the room key directly to the card. Indoing so, a user may simply go directly to his/her room when the userreaches the hotel. Frequent flier status and/or miles may becommunicated via light. Insurance information, medical records, or othermedical information may be communicated to a card via light. Transitinformation such as subway value/tokens, train value/tokens, ferryvalue/tokens may be added to a card via light or other wirelesscommunication into a card. A transit number (e.g., a monthly passnumber) may be added to a card via light (e.g., or sound).Person-to-person payments may be made via two cards (e.g., via lightsensors and sources of light on the cards). Advertisements may becommunicated to a card via light. Light may be communicated, forexample, via a single color of light. For example, a light source (e.g.,an LED) of a card, or other device, may communicate information toanother card, or device, by turning that light source ON and OFF in apattern recognizable by the other device. A device may be operable toreceive information using different schemes of light communication. Aprocessor of a device receiving a particular scheme may utilizeknowledge of each scheme to determine the scheme being utilized. Indoing so, the processor may determine, for example, the type of devicesending the communications. In this manner, for example, a card may beable to discern when the card is receiving information from a card or anon-card device. Different types of devices may have different types ofhandshakes and security. As such, for example, different types ofapplications (e.g., payment applications) may be utilized by the devicebased on the level of security of the communication.

A card, or other device, may be programmed with application code beforethe electronics package is laminated into a card. The card, or otherdevice, may receive payment card information (e.g., a credit, debit,pre-paid, and/or gift card number) after the electronics package islaminated into a card. In doing so, for example, different facilitiesmay be utilized to laminate and personalize the cards.

FIG. 8 shows color encoding scheme 800. Color encoding scheme 800 may,for example, be implemented by a light source capable of generatingmultiple colors of light. A light sensor may, for example, detect eachcolor of light generated by such a light source and may, for example,discern information communicated based upon the color of light detected.Accordingly, for example, each color of light may exhibit acharacteristic (e.g., wavelength) that may be detected by a light sensorand communicated to a processor. In so doing, data may be communicatedfrom a light source to a processor using changes in lightcharacteristics (e.g., changes in the color and/or intensity of lightgenerated).

A data sequence may be associated with a color and/or a colortransition, such that a number of data bits (e.g., two data bits) may becommunicated based upon the particular color and/or color transitiongenerated. Accordingly, for example, data sequences may be encoded basedupon a color of light that may be initially generated by a light sourceand a color of light that may be generated subsequent to the initiallygenerated color of light.

Color encoding scheme 800 illustrates multiple colors (e.g., six colors)that may be generated by a light source. Other colors (e.g., black andwhite) may also be generated by the light source. Each color and/orcolor transition may, for example, be encoded with a bit sequence, suchthat a light sensor and associated processor that detects each colorand/or each color transition may decode the detected color and/or colortransition into its associated data sequence. Accordingly, for example,multiple data bits (e.g., four bits of data) may be communicated bygenerating a first frame of light having a first color followed bygenerating a second frame of light having a second color in accordancewith color encoding scheme 800. In so doing, for example, four bits ofdata may be communicated by generating two colors of light in twoadjacent frames.

Any data sequence may, for example, be communicated by a light source byfirst generating a start sequence (e.g., generating a black pulsefollowed by a white pulse or generating a white pulse followed by ablack pulse). The next color generated by the light source may representthe first two data bits communicated by the light source as illustrated,for example, by columns 804-810 of row 812. Accordingly, for example, alight source may communicate data sequence 804 (e.g., “00”) if the color“green” is generated after a start sequence, a light source maycommunicate data sequence 806 (e.g., “01”) if the color “blue” isgenerated after a start sequence, a light source may communicate datasequence 808 (e.g., “10”) if the color “cyan” is generated after a startsequence, and a light source may communicate data sequence 810 (e.g.,“11”) if the color “magenta” is generated after a start sequence.

Subsequent data bits may be communicated, for example, based upon acolor transition exhibited by a light source in accordance with colorencoding scheme 800. Accordingly, for example, column 802 may illustratea current color being generated by a light source and based upon a colortransition from one of the colors in column 802 to a subsequent color,the next data bits (e.g., the next two data bits) may be encoded. As peran example, the color “cyan” may be generated by a light sourcesubsequent to a start sequence, which may be encoded as data sequence808 (e.g., “10”) from row 812. A subsequent color transition from “cyan”to “green” may be encoded as data sequence 810 (e.g., “11”) as indicatedby row 814. A subsequent color transition from “green” to “yellow” maybe encoded as data sequence 810 (e.g., “11”) as indicated by row 816. Inso doing, for example, each color transition from a current color to asubsequent color may be encoded as multiple data bits (e.g., two databits), such that two data bits may be encoded for each color change.

Rather than using color, light intensities may be used. Accordingly, forexample, color encoding scheme 800 may be replaced with a lightintensity encoding scheme, whereby light intensities instead of colormay be used to encode data. In so doing, for example, a single color(e.g., “red”) may be used as a carrier, where a brightness of thecarrier may be used to encode the carrier with actual data. In so doing,multiple light intensities (e.g., six different brightness levels) maybe used to encode data. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thata larger variety of colors (or intensities) may yield a larger number ofdata bits that may be encoded per frame of light generated by the lightsource. Persons skilled in the art will further appreciate thatvariances in data communication rates between a light source and a lightsensor may be tolerated since color transitions (or intensitytransitions) may be used to indicate data boundaries. In addition, adegree of error correction may be implemented by color encoding scheme800 (or an intensity encoding scheme) since not all color transitions(or intensity transitions) may be valid.

FIG. 9 shows system 900, which may include device 902 having display910, card (or other device) 904 having light sensor 906 and statusindicator 908. Device 902 may, for example, include display 910 that maygenerate light (e.g., pulses of light 912) from any portion of display910. Light sensor 906 may, for example, be operative to detect light(e.g., pulses of light 912) as generated by display 910. Statusindicator 908 (e.g., an LED) may, for example, generate statusinformation concerning data communicated via light pulses 912.Accordingly, for example, a processor of card 904 may determine whetherlight pulses 912 are being detected and further may decode light pulses912 as data communicated by device 902 to card 904. In so doing, forexample, a status of a detection of light pulses 912 and/or a status ofdecoding light pulses 912 into communicated data may be generated by aprocessor and indicated by status indicator 908 (e.g., LED 908 maygenerate green light 914 if data communication and data decoding issuccessful). Status indicator 908 (e.g., an LED) may, for example, beprovided as a back-facing LED, such that communication status may beindicated on side 918 of card 904 (e.g., through card 904) while datacommunication between card 904 and device 902 may be conducted on anopposite side of card 904.

Light sensor 906 (and other electronic components) may, for example, beelectrically and/or mechanically bonded to a printed circuit board ofcard 904 to form an electronic assembly. Such an electronic assembly maybe encapsulated by an injection molding process (e.g., an injectionmolding process based on a reaction of two materials or one material).For example, a silicon-based material or a polyurethane-based materialmay be injected and cured (e.g., using a temperature, light, pressure,time-based, and/or chemical reaction) to form the electronics package.The electronics package (and other components of card 904) may besandwiched between layers of laminate (e.g., layers of polymerlaminate), such that both surfaces of card 904 may be formed by a layerof laminate. An injection process may inject material between suchlayers of polymer. An injection process may, for example, place anelectronics package on one layer of polymer, inject one or moreinjection laminate materials over the electronics package, and thenplace a different layer of polymer over the electronics package coveredin one or more liquid injection laminates. A reaction may then occur toharden the structure into a card.

The electronics package may be formed via a lamination process intoother structures such as, for example, a mobile telephonic device,portable tablet computer, portable laptop computer, watch, any othertype of electronic device, or any part of any electronic device. Lightsensor 906 may, for example, be sensitive to light pulses 912 even whenlight sensor 906 is buried below one or more layers of laminatematerial. A card may be printed with indicia. Areas that may block lightto a light sensor may be printed, for example, with lighter colors.Alternatively, no printing ink/material may be placed above a lightsensor such that the light sensor may receive light unimpeded by printink/material. One or more light sensors may be provided on one side of acard while one or more touch transmitters may be provided on theopposite side of a card. One or more light sensors may be provided onthe same side of a card as one or more touch transmitters. One or moresources of light may be placed on the same or different sides as one ormore light sensors. In placing a light sensor on a different side as alight source, a user may hold the light sensor side of the card to adisplay and receive a visual indication via one or more light sensors(or displays) on the back of the card that an action has occurred (e.g.,a communication has not yet begun, a communication has begun, acommunication is in progress, a communication is complete, acommunication has failed, a communication was correctly completed).

Light sensor 906 may, for example, be sensitive to a wide frequencyrange of signals. For example, device 902 may refresh display 910 at aparticular rate (e.g., 50 or 60 Hz) such that refresh rate noise may bedetected by light sensor 906. As per another example, display 910 mayprovide back lighting that may be controlled (e.g., pulse widthmodulated) at another frequency rate (e.g., hundreds of Hz to thousandsof Hz) such that back-lighting control noise may be detected by lightsensor 906. As per yet another example, a scrolling refresh rate may beexhibited by display 910, whereby pixels of display 910 may be refreshedin a left-to-right, top-to-bottom sequence, thereby affecting a color orintensity of light pulses 912. Accordingly, for example, a processor ofcard 904 may execute an application (e.g., a digital signal processingapplication) that may be used to cancel (e.g., filter out) such noiseeffects. Light sensor 906 may detect light pulses 912 at a varyingdistance 916. For example, display 910 may generate light pulses havinga high intensity, such that distance 916 may be maximized (e.g., card904 may be held further away from display 910 to detect light pulses 912having a relatively high intensity). Alternately, for example, display910 may generate light pulses having a low intensity, such that distance916 may be minimized (e.g., card 904 may be held closer to display 910to detect light pulses 912 having a relatively low intensity). Ambientlight (e.g., light not generated by display 910) may also decreasedistance 916 (e.g., card 904 may need to be held closer to display 910in the presence of ambient light) to allow detection of light pulses912.

A user may, for example, utilize status indicator 908 to determinewhether distance 916 is adequate to support reliable data communicationbetween device 902 and card 904. Accordingly, for example, if distance916 is too large to support reliable data communication, statusindicator 908 (e.g., an LED) may indicate such a status (e.g.,illuminate red light). Alternately, for example, if distance 916 isadequate to support reliable data communication, status indicator 908(e.g., an LED) may indicate such a status (e.g., illuminate greenlight). In so doing, for example, a user of card 904 may obtaincommunication status from status indicator 908, so that the user maybring card 904 within an acceptable communication distance 916 of device902.

A processor may determine a color by receiving one or more samples oflight within a particular range of wavelengths. Multiple samples may beaveraged together during a sampling interval to determine an averagewavelength or other characteristic (e.g., intensity) and this averagecharacteristic over a period of time, may be utilized for determinationcalculations. A particular number of samples may be taken (e.g., two,three, four, or more than four) and averaged together and the average ofthese samples may be utilized by a processor to make determinations.

FIG. 10 shows system 1000, which may include light source 1002, card (orother device) 1004 having light sensor 1006, and reflecting device 1012.Light source 1002 may, for example, provide light pulses 1010 that maybe detected by light sensor 1006 as reflected light pulses 1008.Accordingly, for example, light sensor 1006 of card 1004 may receivecommunicated data from devices that may use a projection medium (e.g., aprojection TV). Other light sources may, for example, generate ambientlight 1014 that may be detected by light sensor 1006. Accordingly, forexample, a processor of card 1004 may use filtering (e.g., a digitalsignal processing algorithm) to cancel the effects of ambient light 1014so that data encoded within light pulses 1008 may be more accuratelydetected and decoded by the processor.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of thepresent invention may be implemented in other ways then those describedherein. All such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A system comprising: a light source apparatusincluding a projection medium, the light source apparatus operable toprovide light pulses communicating data; a reflecting device operable toreflect the light pulses; and a card including a light sensor operableto receive the reflected light pulses.